OTHERS >Controversial batsman left out of England’s India tour

Kevin Pietersen has been dropped for the final Test against South Africa after sending texts to opposition players that contained criticism of then teammate Strauss.

Pietersen has been dropped from the final Test squad against South Africa for sending texts to opposition players that contained criticism of then teammate Strauss.

Kevin Pietersen has been left out of England’s Test squad for the tour of India as the controversial batsman pays the price for the text message scandal that has left his international career in tatters.Pietersen was dropped for the final Test against South Africa after sending texts to opposition players that contained criticism of then England captain Andrew Strauss.

He has since met coach Andy Flower, but there are still issues to be resolved and that meant there was no place for Pietersen on the plane to India. While he remains in exile, England cricket managing director Hugh Morris left the door open for the 32-year-old to return to the fold in the future.

“Both ECB and England team management have had meetings with Kevin Pietersen to address the issues which led to his omission from the final Test match against South Africa,” Morris said yesterday.Pietersen was also axed for the current World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka.